Tories cut labor lead in London to three points

The Labour Party's support in London has declined by nine points in a year, according to polling commissioned by the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

The poll, carried out by YouGov between 24 and 28 March, finds Labour at 37 per cent, just three points ahead of the Conservatives. A year ago the gap between the two parties was 16 points. Labour is now seven percentage points below its share in the 2015 general election.

Support for the Liberal Democrats has doubled since the last London poll in April 2016, and stands at 14 per cent.

The Conservatives have gained four points in London, at 34 per cent. Support for Ukip has fallen to nine per cent, from 13 per cent last year.

Most Londoners are happy with the performance of Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn, 58 per cent think he is doing a good job and he has a net favourability rating of +35. This is higher than the last time YouGov asked in July when it was +30.

The poll shows that Khan has broad cross-party appeal. He has support from the majority of Labour voters, and he also attracts support from a majority of Lib Dems. Even among Conservatives more think he is doing well than think he is doing badly.

Philip Cowley, Professor of Politics at QMUL and Director of the Mile End Institute, said: "When people are asked why they approve of Khan, the responses rarely include specific policies. Supportive responses instead focus on his lack of any errors to date, the fact that he isn't Boris, the belief that it is too early to tell – along with a broader sense that he is saying and at least trying to do the right things for Londoners. Overall, Londoners like him."

Asked about the Prime Minister Theresa May, 46 per cent said she's doing well and she has a net favourability rating of +9.

Fewer than one in five voters think Jeremy Corbyn is doing a good job as leader of the Labour Party and 62 per cent think he's doing badly. Among people who voted Labour in 2015 one in four think he's doing a good job, while 60 per cent think he's doing badly.

Mr Corbyn has a net negative score among every political or demographic group in the capital, including age, gender, social class, remainer/leaver, inner/outer London, and party support. This includes those who voted Labour in 2015, among whom he has a rating of -35.

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson, scored -14 when Londoners are asked to rate him as a Foreign Secretary.

The findings are the first instalment in Polling London, a new research project from QMUL. The project is led by Professor Philip Cowley, Director of QMUL's Mile End Institute.

Fieldwork

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,042 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24 and 28 March 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all London adults (aged 18+). YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council and abide by their rules.